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The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), in collaboration with INTERPOL, has launched a three-day capacity-building training aimed at strengthening investigators’ ability to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
The programme brings together officers from across the country to improve investigative skills, intelligence gathering, and cross-border cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime.
Speaking at the opening session, INTERPOL Regional Specialist Madam Baraka Dankassoua described human trafficking as a growing and complex threat affecting Sierra Leone and the wider West African region, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
She said the training would provide investigators with practical tools to identify trafficking indicators, conduct effective investigations, and disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General Andrew Mustapha Kamara reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to continuous professional development, stressing that well-trained officers are essential to responding to evolving security challenges.
DIG Kamara urged participants to maximise the opportunity, noting that officers were selected from different regions to ensure the benefits of the training reach across the country. He also highlighted the increasing sophistication of trafficking and migrant smuggling networks, while emphasising the importance of international cooperation, including joint operations with the Liberia National Police along the Mano River Union corridor.
The Head of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Sierra Leone, Detective Superintendent Mohamed Sidibay, encouraged investigators to look beyond surface-level crimes, noting that offences such as obtaining money by false pretences could sometimes be linked to human trafficking activities.
Meanwhile, Head of Training DSP Alpha Kamara stressed the importance of applying lessons from the course to improve investigations and strengthen victim protection.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the SLP and its international partners to build a more professional and effective police force capable of addressing emerging security threats.
